It all began in 1925 when brothers Rocco and Joe Delillo left Calabria in search of the American Dream. They decided to open a pastry shop and bring the taste of Italy to New York. They settled in Belmont, and soon their family, Rose and Nick Delillo, were also working in the shop.
Luigi Florio began working in Delillo Pastry Shop in the mid 1950s as a baker’s assistant and slowly moved up to head baker. In the mid 1970s, after Joe passed away, his daughter, Rose, offered Luigi a partnership in the business. He accepted her offer and their partnership would last well over a decade.
When Rose was ready to move on from the bakery, she asked Luigi would be willing to buy her share of the business. Luigi accepted, but would need someone to help run the business. He turned to his brother Salvatore and asked if he would become partners. Salvatore accepted and in September of 1984 the Florio family, along with Victoria Spadafino (a Delillo employee and fixture for over 40 years) would continue the fine tradition of producing New York’s finest pastries and cookies.
They celebrate their 100th anniversary this year!
